Torotoro National Park Circuit
Dinosaur tracks and limestone canyons
The road to Torotoro cuts through some of Bolivia’s most dramatic karst landscape, where 150-million-year-old dinosaur footprints are embedded in limestone slabs along the trail. This circuit winds through the park’s backcountry at 8,800 feet, connecting ancient caves, natural bridges, and the spectacular Ciudad de Itas rock formations. The approach from Cochabamba involves serious switchbacks down canyon walls where one wrong turn puts you airborne.
This is solid intermediate territory requiring high-clearance 4WD and decent rock-crawling skills for the canyon descents. Rainy season turns the limestone into skating rinks, so May through September gives you the best grip. Park permits are mandatory and camping is restricted to designated areas near the ranger station. You’ll earn every mile of this geological showcase, but standing next to 150-million-year-old T-Rex tracks makes the busted oil pan worth it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 48 mi / 77.2 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8847 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Torotoro, Potosí |
| Land manager | SERNAP - Torotoro National Park |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Land Cruiser handle this trail without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD is the minimum — a Hilux or Land Cruiser in good mechanical shape will manage the rocky surface and water crossings fine. Lifted or modified rigs aren't required, but solid tires with decent tread matter more than suspension upgrades here. Don't attempt it in a 2WD or low-clearance SUV.
Is the trail accessible year-round or does wet season make it impassable?
Stick to May through September — the dry season. The wet season (October–April) turns the limestone track into a slick, rutted mess and water crossings can rise to genuinely dangerous levels. Many sections become impassable mud even for capable 4WDs during heavy rains.
Do I need a permit to drive the Torotoro circuit and what does it cost?
Yes, a national park entry permit is required — SERNAP manages the park and collects fees at the entrance near the town of Torotoro. As of recent trips, the fee is around 30–50 BOB (roughly $4–7 USD) for foreigners, but confirm current rates locally as they change. Keep your permit on you; rangers do check inside the park.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I expect?
The roughest terrain is the rocky canyon descents with exposed limestone slabs — wheel placement matters and there's little room for error on the narrower ledge sections. Nothing here requires winching in dry conditions, but a moment of inattention on the off-camber rock faces can put a wheel off the edge. Take it slow, spot your line, and don't rush.
There's no cell service on this trail — how far is the nearest fuel and what should I know about water crossings?
Fuel up in Cochabamba or Cliza before heading out — Torotoro town has no reliable fuel source, and you're running a 48-mile loop with zero resupply. Water crossings exist throughout the circuit and depth varies significantly by season; in dry season most are passable but always walk them first before committing your rig.
Trail track
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